It's Still the Economy, Stupid

Right at this moment, Bill Rinney has taken up occupancy on the roof of the Washnenaw County building in Ann Arbor to protest continued high unemployment, both here in Michigan and across the nation.

Extreme measures like this are only prompted by extreme circumstances. Despite the power of the hot button social issues to motivate voters along both fronts in the "culture war," economic distress never loses its ability to trump all other issues. In THIS world, without economic security, nothing else matters.

Small, incremental improvements have occured of late. The Obama administration points out that private sector employment patterns have resulted in a net increase in the numbver of jobs for the past six months--due in part to the positive effects of the stimulus bill. Recently Michigan lost its infamous distinction of having the worst unemployment rate in the country. Nevada's been kind enough to take it off our hands.

The recession began long before Barack Obama took office, but the memory of the American voter is short. Times are still desperate, and the accompanying emotions errodes people's patience.

But the question still demands a clear head--WHO can best create policies and programs to create jobs and restore confidence?